Engaging in Guided Inquiry

The question I chose to explore for this guided inquiry was, “How do different surfaces affect the momentum of marbles?” To answer this question, I rolled a marble across three surfaces; cement, dirt, and carpet. To keep from having too many variables, I shot the marble with a spring loaded “Nerf” type gun of my son’s. I took three measurements on each surface. The measurement is as follows:

Surface - Trial 1 - Trial 2 - Trial 3

Concrete - 198.5” - 208” - 219.75”
Dirt - 6.25” - 17.5” - 20.75”
Carpet - 41” - 43” - 51.25”

Data shows that smooth surfaces provide less friction and allows the momentum of the marble to carry the marble farther. I also discovered that with each trial, on every surface, the distance increased. This information is interesting to me and if I had more time, I think I would continue on other surfaces or with subsequent rolls of the marble on the same surface.
I did face some challenges in the experiment. One was that I could not be certain that the entire length of each surface was 100% level. The second was that the angle in which the “bullet” hit the marble was not always the same and thus the path the marble traveled was not always the same.
I really enjoyed taking part in this guided inquiry. If I were to complete this activity with my class, and if they were to notice the pattern in the data collected, I probably would have used that as an opportunity to have them write “I wonder” questions. (Banchi & Bell, 2008) Although setting up this experiment from the given question was very easy for me, I think it would have provided a challenge for many of my students unless they had been given ample practice in using the scientific method. I know they would enjoy working through the process and would gain much more than just information or finding a “right” answer. They would have the joy of engaging, exploring, investigating, searching and they could connect it to their real world. (Kuhlthau, Caspari, and Maniotes, 2007)

References

Banchi, H., & Bell, R. (2008). The many levels of inquiry. Science & Children, 46(2), 26–29.
Kuhlthau, Carol C., Maniotes, Leslie K., & Caspari, Ann K. (2007) Guided Inquiry: learning in the 21st century. Libraries Unlimited.